Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-08-06

made up my mind not 10 90 TO that
reception" aud Mrs. Brown resolute-
iy stltled all Thoughts OF that new black
velvet gown upstairs which had never
been worn.
The music ceased suddenly, and
Caroline wheeled about on the piano
STOOL
"Oh. mother" she exclaimed in
tone that should have rent the heart of
the stouteSt matron, ''Why it's going
to be the SWEETEST affair this season"
NO l shall not 60" Mrs. Brown
answered calmly, her face wearing an
expression as firm as that presented by
the rock of Gibralter. Not even il
Dan'l begs me-not if he should get
down OH his knees and bcseech me to
60! l am determined to punish him
this time
The week went by; the household
affairs of the Browns ran in their &C
customed groove, Mr.. Brown dined
regularly with a good appetite and
talked to his W fe of soap. but no
word was said about Mrs. Blacks re-
ception.
Thursday night. dinner YVES half ov.
er when Mr.. Brown remarked casually,
Lets see. is this the night we go out.
Sarah?"
''Go out?" said Mrs. Brown calmly.
Yes"
Go out where?" asked Mrs. Brown
in blank amaZement.
'Why, isn't this the evening for
Mrs. Blacks reception"
"This is the evening for Mrs. Blacks
reception, but you know we were not
going"
Not goingr said Mr.. Brown in
surprise.
why, no, you recollect you said
you didn't care to 60"
I'D dn't care to go!' Oh the fine
sarcasm of Mrs. Brown! Hadn't her
husband SAID he would rather cut off
his head than go. ID dn't he remem-
Der it distinctly, the very tones even in
which he had said it. His large round
face was covered with flaming bushes
at the remembrance, and he tidgeted
intentionally in h char.
.'But don't you and Caroline want to
go?' he asked. Il guess / can stand
one more.
mo. | think I'd better stay at home
tonight. 1t will probably be Il very
elegant affair-the house and grounds
are just right for summer entertain
ment-but, as you say receptions are
tiresome."
Dinner proceeded in a chilly silence,
which was not again broken until des-
sert came on. "On the whole Sarah.
perhaps you'd better get ready and
60" ventured Mr.. Brown. You
know what a queer stick Black is; it
would be very awkward for me if l
should meet him down town in the
morning and have to explain why we
weren't there"
cuse. Dan'l; you're splendid at that at
times; anS besides. it's very seldom
you meet him. isn't it?"
Or" said MIR. Brown. Frightening
up with his happy idea, "if you want
Carol ne to 90, and don't feel like going
yourself, could take her up for a little
while just as well rs not | don't care
copper about going myself. but it
really seems as though some OF us
ought to 90; YOU know, the Blacks
came to our little company"
Poor Dan'l! He was doomed to dis
appointment again.
mo; l had much rather Caroline
should stay at home; she's been out too
much lately" Mrs. Brown answered,
paving no attention to Caroline's visit
| full look; land there's no sense in her
dragging you up there if you don t care
to CO."
1t was melancholy little group that
sat around the library table after din.
ner. They all read assiduously. Mis-:
Caroline looked somewhat pouty about
the lips, Mrs. Browns masculine face
was f0rbidding in the extreme. while
poor Dan'l was completely subducd.
81 think I'll go down TO the lodgc
| for a little WHILE" said Mr.. Brown, al
length, trying TO speak in an offhand
way, rs though he were perfectly al
ease; 1--WE have an installation 10
night"
There was slight sinking at Mrs
Browns heart at this announcement
Since clock. though. she was out
wardly so firm there had been LITTLE
giving way thin. She had not reat
a word in the book she held open befOr'
her, her thoughts had been too BASIL
engaged at Mrs. Blacks reception. Sin
wondered what Mrs. Appleton Fisk
would wear; perhaps the morning
papers would not give the toilets; II
that case she might never know! Ih'
Thought of the names in the paper wa
maddening; she mentally read, anon:
those present were Mr.. and Mrs
Daniel Brown and Miss Brown. Yes
if her husband once more should urg
their going, possibly she might relen
and 90 with him.
But all hope took wings at mention
of the lodge. "Oh, you're going TO in
stall some more high pr.vates. az
you?" she snapped out, for she ha
grown very nervous during the sus
pense of the last ID minutes. .
thought Won had an installation just tn
other night
THAT was an entirely different ma
ter. can't explain these things
you so you'd understand them.
"No. | suppose not" said Mrs
Brown. wrathfulIy. 81 suppose it wa
meeting of the High Cockalorum
last week. and tonight it's a meetin
of the Lodge of Supreme Perfectio
and Sublime Completion. isn't itP"
cit is a meeting of the Suprenl
Council, if that is what you meal
Sarah. replied Mr.. Brown with muc
d;,xn;,,- % no Stalked ont of the room